Archaeologist: Bones up to 3,000 years old

DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Human bones uncovered during construction of an oceanfront mansion in Delray Beach, Fla., could be up to 3,000 years old, an archaeologist said.

Archaeologist Bob Carr said the bones, found in December 2010, are thought to be those of an adult and teen members of the Jeaga tribe, who lived in an area between southern Palm Beach County and the Indian River until the 1700s, the South Florida Sun Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale reported Monday.

Carr, of the Archaeological and Historical Conservancy Inc. in Davie, said the bones could have been there at least 1,000 years and possibly as long as 3,000 years.

Construction was halted for a time after a bulldozer unearthed a skull and femur, and archaeologists found artifacts indicating the site could have been a dwelling, the Sun Sentinel reported. The office of the Florida State Archaeologist ordered the bones reburied at the site and permitted construction to resume.

The builder agreed to create a memorial on the site. The newspaper said the memorial won't note human remains or have public access but will acknowledge the site's archaeological importance.